When non-surgical methods are not enough to address the effects of gum disease, gum flap surgery can restore the health of your smile. When left untreated, periodontal disease can cause extensive damage to the supporting structures of your teeth and eventually lead to tooth loss. Our experts at JVDIC can perform a flap procedure to stop the progression of gum disease. It involves incising the gums and temporarily pulling the tissue away from the teeth to treat the roots and jawbone directly. Our experts at our dental practice provides multiple forms of anaesthesia to ensure your comfort during the procedure. A flap procedure is typically recommended for patients with moderate to severe gum disease, or periodontitis, that has not responding to non-surgical treatments such as scaling and root planning. This treatment can remove built-up plaque and tartar around the roots and restore the health of gum tissue. In some cases, an additional procedure can be performed at the same time to repair bone tissue affected by gum disease. Our experts can determine if gum flap surgery is right for you by examining your oral and overall health during an initial consultation.

Flap surgery is today’s leading method for treating and repairing periodontal pockets. What are these “pockets?” They are areas below the gum line where gum tissue has detached from the teeth, resulting in an uncleansable space where harmful bacteria can proliferate. These bacteria cause inflammation of the tissues, resulting in sensitivity, bleeding, and pain. Left untreated, they can cause a host of problems including gum disease, loss of the tooth-supporting bone structure, and possibly even systemic (whole-body) problems. When periodontal pockets develop, the first step in treating them is usually with manual scalers or ultrasonic instrument. If this isn’t effective, then periodontal surgery is considered. Flap surgery isn’t a cure for periodontal disease — but it helps create an environment that makes it easier to maintain your periodontal health. And even if you’re prone to gum disease, proper professional treatment and regular care at home can help keep your teeth healthy for as long as possible.

One major objective of flap surgery is to eliminate or reduce the pocket itself. To access it, a flap-like incision is made in the gum tissue. This allows diseased tissue to be removed from inside the pocket, and provides access to the teeth’s root surfaces for a thorough cleaning, which helps to eliminate harmful plaque and calculus (tartar). Afterward, the “flap” is closed, sealing the area. This begins the healing process, which takes place rapidly. Another goal is the regeneration of periodontal ligament and bone tissue which may have been lost due to the disease. A variety of techniques may be used to accomplish this, including high-tech methods of bone grafting and chemicals referred to as growth factors and soft tissue lasers. These approaches help restore the gums to their normal form and function and promote the healthy and secure anchoring of teeth.

First, one of our dental hygienists will remove all plaque and tartar from around your teeth. Then, we will numb the treatment area with a local anaesthetic. Once you are comfortable, we will make an incision and create a small flap of gum tissue to access the underlying structures. Next, the dentist will remove all inflamed tissue, plaque, and tartar from between the teeth and around the roots. In some cases, we will also perform a procedure known as osseous recontouring to smooth bone defects and help prevent infection from returning. When he is finished, we will replace the gum tissue and close all incisions using sutures. We may also cover the surgical site with an intraoral bandage to protect the area while you heal. A flap procedure can save teeth affected by gum disease. Once you heal from a gum flap surgery, your gums should be pink and healthy again and you can prevent the recurrence of gum disease by brushing at least twice and flossing at least once per day. Our experts can monitor the health of your gums at your six-month cleaning and examination. We can also provide you with instructions on the most effective methods for protecting your periodontal health at home.